April Impact

April 2011 Vol. 5, No. 8

IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose

Jones pushes women’s team to ECAC championship title Sam Jones, head coach of the women’s basketball team at Waynesburg University, sets an example for his players on and off the court. Teaching faith, family and basketball, Jones has passionately lifted his program and players to new heights.

want to see our women excel and no one wants that more than Sam.”

Coach Jones has used positivity

and a strong belief in what he wants to accomplish to his advantage in turning the program around.

“I believe in what I’m doing,” Jones

said. “I try and instill that confidence and belief in the girls, which has helped change the mentality and push them to work hard.”

Even with his full-time job on campus,

Jones tackles an additional and maybe more important full-time job when he heads home: being a father.

L

ook to the sidelines of a women’s

“I try to make family my priority while

basketball game, and you are in for

still working extremely hard. I think that

a show. One of the more animated

sets a good example for my team,” he said.

coaches to suit up for a game is head

“It helps me remain grounded and not

women’s basketball coach Sam Jones.

focused on just hoops, which helps me

Bringing passion, professionalism, an array

stay me.”

of knowledge and his own core values

into his job, Jones has solidified himself as

children, Hanna, 8, Lucas, 7, Rebekah, 4,

someone players want to play for.

and Nathan, 2.

“Coach sees potential in you when you

Jones and his wife Ruth-Ann have four

“I love seeing my family in the

may not possibly see it in yourself, either

stands,” Jones said. “My kids love me,

on the court or off,” said sophomore guard

win or lose, and it is fun to watch them

Brittany Spencer. “As a player, it makes

interact with my team.”

you work that much harder because

you know that he is doing the same. For

plays a big role on and off the court.

example, during the summer he sends

inspirational quotes and count downs

place that shares my values and where

because he’s so into his job.”

I could openly share my faith when the

opportunity presented itself,” Jones said.

Three years ago, the Waynesburg

Along with family life, Jones’ faith “I am excited to be able to work at a

“My faith helps me realize that there is

University women’s basketball team fought through one of its toughest seasons

done for us,” said junior point guard

Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC),

more to life than basketball and that there

in school history, as the 2007-08 squad

Hannah Hunter, who has played for Jones

Jones and company made a fierce

is a larger reason I’m with my team.”

managed just a 1-25 overall record.

in all three of his seasons. “When we

final push at the end of the season to

play focused, with intensity and with

capture the Eastern Collegiate Athletic

reason that keeps him passionate and

Yellow Jackets turned to their newly hired

respect for our coach, we can get through

Conference (ECAC) South championship

determined. Jones came into the season

head coach to right the ship and get things

anything.”

title.

with a goal: to win basketball games.

turned around.

“Sam was the right fit for us when

at the helm, Jones’ team exploded for 21

we went looking for a new coach. He has

purpose. He has taught his players about

as head coach, the program has seen

overall wins, the highest win total since

brought a great passion to our women’s

determination and dedication, preparing

significant improvements year after year.

the 1994-95 season.

program and set a new standard,” said

them for life after the game.

Director of Athletics Rick Shepas. “We

Beginning in the fall of 2008, the

Since Jones has taken over the reins

“I appreciate everything Coach has

Just after wrapping up his third season

Along with placing third in the

It is Jones’ appreciation for that larger

But he has served a much greater

Charter Day celebration commemorates 161st anniversary

W

aynesburg University

on the words of William Penn, founder

seeds in human hearts,” he said. “When

illustrations” of his sermon. Noftzger

celebrated the 161st

of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,

seeds are planted by the hand of the living

agreed.

anniversary of its charter

inscribed in the rotunda at the State

God, good things are going to happen.”

by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Tuesday, March 22. The celebration was

Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa. “That there may be room there for such

In addition to Broberg’s address, Charter

the very vital mission of God in this place,” Noftzger said.

a holy experiment, for the nations want

faculty and recognition of the 52 students

Waynesburg.

a precedent and my God will make it

chosen for the 2011 Who’s Who Among

Introduced by Waynesburg University

(Pennsylvania) the seed of a nation. That

Students in American Universities and

President Timothy R. Thyreen, the Rev.

an example may be set up to the nations.

Colleges directory.

Dr. Stuart D. Broberg, senior pastor of

. .that we may do the thing that is truly

The Church of the Covenant located in

wise and just.”

Day speaker.

Broberg’s Charter Day Convocation Address, “The Seed of a Nation,” encouraged those in attendance to reflect

After reading Penn’s words, Broberg

Prior to the students being introduced by the Rev. Richard “Skip” Noftzger, senior vice president for Institutional

explained that Waynesburg University

Planning, Research and Educational

was also to become the seed of a nation.

Services at Waynesburg University,

“Waynesburg University was founded and granted a charter precisely to plant

university, and these students represent

Day included a formal procession of

held at the First Presbyterian Church in

Washington, Pa., served as the Charter

“Seeds are planted every day at this

Broberg summed up his address by saying that the selected students are “living

IMPACT NEWS & NOTES • As part of the Rosetta Kormuth Devito Lecture Series, Waynesburg

University funds student-led projects with grant

W

aynesburg University continually immerses its students in opportunities to

planning and implementation process.

“At Waynesburg, students learn to share their gifts of service and the

make a difference. Though service is no

blessings that God has given them

author and comedian, Tuesday, April

novelty to its students, a new chance to

with others,” said Halie Theriault, a

12 at 7:30 p.m. The lecture, “The 1st

impact the community surfaced in 2009

senior English and secondary education

International Bank of Bob: Changing

with the implementation of Waynesburg

major from Pittsburgh, Pa. “When the

the World $25 at a Time,” will take

University’s Community Impact Grant.

University awards these Impact Grants,

University will host Bob Harris,

place in Alumni Hall. Admission is free

Over the past three years, the

students are able to provide meaningful

and the public is cordially invited to

University has given more than $10,000

service to the members of the Greene

attend.

to student-led projects that impact

County Community.”

the local Greene County community.

This spring, tutors from the West

• The Crosby Lecture Series will host

Individuals or groups desiring to leave an

Waynesburg after-school center Kid’s

Dr. Calvin B. DeWitt, Tuesday, April

impression in the community long after

Café received a $500 grant to take

19 at 7:30 p.m. The lecture will be

graduation compose grant applications

community youth on outings to

held in the Goodwin Performing Arts

that include detailed budgets, planning

Pittsburgh, Pa., and Morgantown, W.Va.

Center on the campus of Waynesburg

and implementation procedures.

University. Known as “a world-class

Students have the opportunity

“Without funding from the grant, we wouldn’t have been able to do

a $1,000 grant to provide 100 Greene

conservationist” among his peers,

to brainstorm and propose projects

this,” Kid’s Café site coordinator and

County children with TOMS Shoes. The

DeWitt is an environmental scientist

that tackle local issues affecting the

sophomore middle level education

group will also educate the children on

who designed and developed the Au

community such as poverty, domestic

major Colin Wilson said. “It will make

social and economic issues outside of

Sable Institute of Environmental

violence and health initiatives. The

such a difference for the children in

Greene County.

Studies. Admission is free and the

Community Impact Grant allows

the community to learn about other

public is cordially invited to attend.

individuals to apply for a $500 grant and

environments.”

classes, groups or organizations to apply • Waynesburg University Music Program faculty will display their

for a $1,000 grant.

A selection committee, consisting

Other spring 2011 recipients included the Waynesburg Unviersity Student Organization Leadership Group and

Waynesburg University students’ deep commitment to faith, service and learning shines in their many efforts to impact the Greene County community.

The Community Impact Grant

talents Tuesday, April 26 at 7:30

of university faculty, staff and

three 2010 Vira I. Heinz scholarship

continues to invest in the community

p.m. The faculty recital is part of the

administration, selects recipients based

recipients. The leadership group received

by recognizing and awarding students’

University’s Performing Arts Series,

on the project’s value to the community,

a $700 grant to help fund their creation

commendable desire to make a

and will be held in the Goodwin

the project’s fundamental short- and

of Easter baskets for local children.

difference.

Performing Arts Center. Admission is

long-term impact and the project’s

The Vira I. Heinz scholars accepted

$5 and the public is cordially invited to attend.

Hardie endures snow, tornado warnings for lofty goal

•The Spring Semester Student Art

hris Hardie knows that when it comes to funding cancer research, every penny counts.

His February Chris Cross the County fundraiser, an extreme running challenge of four marathons in four consecutive days, proved his dedication to the cause.

“With each penny, dime and dollar, we are making a difference; a difference that will one day culminate with a cure. That is the goal,” Hardie said.

Hardie, head cross country and assistant track and field coach at Waynesburg University, completed 91 miles of his 104.8 mile journey and is more than half way to his $5,000 goal.

When that goal is reached, Hardie will bring his collective total to more than $20,000 raised for cancer research over the past five years.

On the last Friday in February, Hardie was up before the sun. A breakfast to feed body and spirit, he read scriptures while eating a bowl of cereal – just the beginning of his 4,000 calorie day. Dressed for frosty winter weather, Hardie made his way to the start line.

Temperatures were flirting with freezing and snow flurries were blowing parallel to the pavement, but postponing the run was not an option for Hardie.

“Those with cancer don’t get to pick and choose the days that are good and bad,” he said. “In honor of them and their courage, I will never postpone the run for bad weather.”

Relying on his adrenaline, Hardie endured sleet, rain, snow, tornado warnings and nagging pain.

“Monday was the toughest day, as we had downpours all morning and the area was under a tornado watch,” he said. “Fatigue never really set in physically, but the mind was challenged more than I thought.”

Following a strict cycle of run, sleep, eat, hydrate and repeat, Hardie was able to withstand four taxing days of willing one foot in front of the other.

“I lost about three pounds each day, but gained it back when I properly hydrated and nourished my body with food. My day was pretty easy, as I watched TV and took a typical two hour nap in the afternoon. Each night I went to bed around 10 p.m. It was pretty routine,” he said.

While he may call it routine, this was no small feat, nor was this the first marathon of marathons for Hardie. This was his fifth Chris Cross the County long distance event.

“God has blessed me with an ability to run for long periods at a time,” Hardie said. “I use this gift to raise money for a cause that I truly believe is very important.”

Exhibition will be held Monday, April 18 through Wednesday, April 20, in the Benedum Fine Arts Gallery. The exhibit showcases the best student work produced in the studio art courses during the spring semester.

Approximately 100 pieces will be featured including work by non-majors.

Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

• Waynesburg University will host the Gross National Product’s (GNP) Concert Saturday, April 16. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center on the campus of Waynesburg University.

GNP has become a spring musical reunion for members of the band who started putting on shows at Waynesburg University during 1970. Admission is free and doors open at 7 p.m.

• Waynesburg University’s annual Baccalaureate and Commencement exercises will be held Sunday, May 15, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. The celebration will honor approximately 600 undergraduate and graduate students. Baccalaureate services will be held in the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse.

Commencement will be held on the front lawn of Miller Hall. Families are encouraged to arrive early, as the commencement processional begins approximately 20 minutes prior to the ceremony.

C

Crown takes fourth at National Championships Sophomore wrestler Alex Crown had a very successful first trip to the NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships on March 11 and 12.

The Carlisle native went 4-2 over the two-day stretch and took fourth place at 125 pounds. After losing his first match of the tournament, Crown bounced back with four-straight victories, including one by pin and one by technical fall, to reach the thirdplace bout. It was the highest finish ever for a Waynesburg wrestler at the Division III championships.

Longo and Minor named PAC Pitchers of the Week in March The first weeks of spring competition in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) yielded a pair of awards for two of Waynesburg’s top pitchers. Sophomore Anthony Longo and junior Lauren Minor were named PAC Baseball and Softball Pitchers of the Week for the week of March 6, respectively, after a pair of outstanding season debuts. Longo picked up the award after allowing just two runs on four hits with no walks and nine strikeouts in a 3-2 complete-game victory over non-conference foe Pitt-Greensburg on March 1 during the Jackets’ season-opening doubleheader.

Minor was given the accolade after throwing five scoreless innings in Waynesburg’s 8-0 win over Emmanuel College on March 6 at the Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Fla.